Hospital bag (when giving birth) - Munich

Hi, I am giving birth for the 1st time here (2nd overall) and I wanted to see what people typically bring in their hospital bags. At my first hospital they provided everything. I needed an outfit for me and the baby to go home in and the baby's car seat, otheriwse everything underwear, pump, robes, gowns, baby clothes, receiving blankets, hats everything I can think of was provided. They gave me saop, shampoo, tooth brush, towels. It was pretty much like a hotel, they provided the basics and I could bring personal items, like cameras. We also had a tv with cable and a dvd player in our room.

On my paperwork from Geisenhofer (still haven't decided between there and Harlaching) it says

I need:
comfortable clothes
Robe, night shirt, nursing bra, nursing friendly clothes, nursing pads. house shoes. socks
toilletries, hand towels, wash cloths soap, tooth brush
Patience

I need for the baby
1 shirt, 1 jacket, 1 pants, socks
1 strampler (which I think are ugly, any suggestions on where to buy non strampler clothes) hat and in winter 2, ausfahrgarnitur
Moses basket with blanket or pillow (which I have always been told no blankets of pillows until baby is 18 months old due to SIDS) and Maxi Cosi

Does the hospital provide anything? The whole blanket thing makes me remember when I visited Neu Perlach they said they were the first hospital to stop using blankets and start using sleep sacks(so I assume none of the other hospitals even do sleep sacks). When I toured the hospital they were still using those thick (but tiny) baby blankets made of down. I would not want that, do I need to bring my own receiving blankets to wrap the baby in?

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Hi - I gave birth at the Geisenhofer in April and had an excellent experience there. They provided underwear, gowns and I think you could get toothbrushes etc there too but to be honest I took and used most of my own stuff, wanted to have my own pj's for my own comfort. I didn't use a pump at all (still haven't actually!) but they do have them. Regarding little ones, they provide all clothes, nappies and so on. They put my little chap in a sleep sack and did also put the quilt blanket on too - I was a little worried so just kept it on the lower part of him if at all as he was warm enough most of the time. No pillows (surprised that's on there...) were used. I did see some people using them, more to prop their babies on their sides though - I assumed that was their personal preference as the staff advised like in England, baby always on their backs. I also took our own receiving blankets but they do have them too.

Hope this helps a bit and good luck!

Thanks I was beginning to get worried all they were providing was a bed

I also had very good experiences with Geisenhofer. I gave birth there in March. They provided everything for the baby. For me was pretty much hospital gown and underwear. If you want something more comfortable, probably bring your own gown instead. They also provided me with towel, soaps and 3 meals a day. They food were good. You do need to bring the baby clothes the day you depart the hospital though. I did use the pump and were easy to access to it and the nurses were great.

Thanks for letting me know

I gave birth in August at the Geisenhofer. They provided everything for the baby except her going-home outfit, although I wrestled her into her own clothes a few times - our room was on the top floor, in direct sunlight all afternoon, with the wall made of glass, so 40+ degrees all day, and they kept dressing her in vest, shirt, onesie, socks and hat and putting her in her sleeping bag.

For me there were gowns, anti-DVT stockings, towels, soap, food and water.

I too gave birth at the Geisenhofer in July, and they provided everything I needed. I chose to use my own toothbrush, shampoo and conditioner. The only thing I needed was clothing for going home in for both myself and my baby, and a robe for walking around the hospital (you can use whatever clothes you want for the baby - the don't even check you out!)They give you hospital gowns and undies which I used the whole time b/c I had a c-section so they were the most comfortable. They put the babies in these super cute little sleepsacks and leave a changing station in your room with extra clothing to change the baby into. I was also on the top floor and it is beautiful and newly remodeled - try to request it!

Good Luck - the Geisenhofer is great!

thanks!

I worry a lot about baby overheating like llees is saying, with all those clothes. so I am thinking I might bring clothes for the baby.

Hey Lil96, congrats on impending birth of baby 2. As a non-first-timer you surely have your own individual preferences in mind but I thought I'd share these suggestions since there might be others lurking who are first-time birth-givers and maybe haven't thought of a few things.

I always bring my own pillow from home when I go to the hospital; I hate hospital pillows, especially the 80x80cm mushy German ones. I even had my own bed pillows in the Kreissaal - might as well be comfortable! No, they didn't get yucky in the birth process. Also, you might want to pack favorite snacks for you and anybody who is accompanying you, both for labor and afterward. When I first started breastfeeding I was ravenous and often at times of day/night when there wasn't anything on offer on the ward. I was happy to have biscuits and still mineral water and some fruit by my side. I can't stand the (salty) sparkling water (Heilwasser) they give to patients here in Heidelberg. Champagne minis can be a fun thing to have with you, too - firstly, to toast new arrival (just a sip for mum) and secondly because champagne (like Guinness) is often recommended as a way to encourage breastmilk to come in. Maybe a myth but the midwives at my hospital were all for it. The Kreissaal staff should be happy to put stuff in the fridge for you.

GL!

I think it is a great idea to just suggest stuff, I hadn't even thought about the pillows, I too hate the 80x80 fluffies.

I was at the Geisenhoferklinik in January and had a great experience. I would suggest you take a hair dryer, if you want to dry your hair and a nursing pillow, if you plan to nurse. They don't provide you with those. I also had my own towel and toiletries, bathrobe to roam the halls around in, slippers (Hausschuhe), and snacks. Good luck!

Lil96 - fingers crossed for you. When you due? I gave birth three times here (though not at Geisenhofer.) Useful things I took, which weren't on preparation lists: I found taking my own feeding pillow (Stillkissen) was really useful, and a tube of my own Lansinoh lanolin ointment (which I'd recommend using from day 1 - don't wait for the if / when you get sore). Also I had waterbirths, so I took a bath pillow with suckers. My own CD for the delivery room rather than 'soothing' sounds. A top up phone card for my pay-as-you-go call-by-call mobile phone. A good book for the time you spend after in the clinic when not feeding, changing, being present whilst the little one has checks done or you have them done to you... Very best wishes!

Oh yes, HJH1 reminded me - your own slippers - I took a pair of 1,- Euro slippers from a discounter so that I could throw them out immediately on leaving (I left them in the bin in the room) due to potential risks for carrying out hospital germs to home with you. MRSI and friends are becoming more common here too.

Thanks for all the tips!

Tiny-baby is coming in November.

It's so nice to hear others had such positive experiences at the Geisenhofer too! Also to back up 'liebling', the midwives told me a glass of champers would help the milk come in - enjoy it whilst you can and good luck for Nov.